NICE! Plant of the Month
(Nassella (Stipa) tenuissima)
Family: Poaceae
Type: Perennial grass, grows in graceful draping tufts.
Natural Habitat: Natural setting is open, rocky slopes at 5,000 to 7,000 ft. elevation in Trans-Pecos Mountains of Texas. Also found in New Mexico to central Mexico.
Growth: Height 18″ to 24″. Spread 12″ to 18″.
Deer Resistance: Resistant
Wildlife: None noted.
Light Tolerance: Full sun to part shade.
Flowers: Seed heads have silky awns that resemble flowing hair. Flowers turn gold at maturity and are showy from June until September.
Fruit: Seeds are inconspicuous.
Leaves: Narrow, tightly-rolled bright green leaves which form soft flowing tufts.
Water Requirements: Very drought tolerant once established
Soil Requirements: Prefers fertile, well-drained soil. Tolerates heavy clay to sandy soil, but must dry out between waterings.
Maintenance: Reseeds readily so may spread out of its boundaries. May be raked in late winter to early spring to take out dead grass.
Planting Instructions: Space plants 1 ½ feet apart. Dig a hole at least two times wider than, but the same depth as the root ball in the nursery container. Sides of the hole should be irregular, not smooth. Remove plant from container, taking care to support the root ball. Loosen exterior roots gently with your fingers. If the plant is root-bound and cannot be loosened by hand, the outer roots may be cut in several places. Lift the plant by the root ball and place into the hole. Backfill hole, using soil that was dug out. Do not add any soil to the top of the root ball. Gently firm the soil with your hands, but do not tamp it down. Place 3-4 inches of mulch over the bare soil around, but not touching the base of the plant.
Watering Instructions: Water deeply after planting to settle soil around roots. Then every 7-10 days, as needed, during the first growing season. Before watering, check for soil moisture at a depth of an inch or two at the edge of the root ball. Skip a watering after a rainfall of ½ to 1 inch. Maintain this watering schedule until the first fall. Reduce watering during the cool fall and winter months. In a “normal” year, no watering may be necessary during the fall and winter, but during a dry period, monthly watering may be needed. Second spring and thereafter: Water monthly only during periods of drought. Once established, natives will survive with little supplemental irrigation.
NICE! Tip: This grass moves at the slightest breath of wind. It is effective as a specimen or planted in masses, and provides excellent erosion control on slopes.
Look for the NICE! Plant of the Month signs and information sheets on your next visit to a participating Boerne nursery. And thank you for supporting native plants by using them in your landscapes.
